Claude Harmon, Picard, Snead & others Signed 1951 Masters Spectator Guide
Open this 1951 Masters Tournament Spectator Guide and on the fourth (4th) page depicting Hole 7 Pampas at Augusta National is the clean pencil signature of Claude Harmon! Coincidentally it was hole 7 that Harmon birdied during his final fourth (4th) round three years prior. The consignor, and native Augustan, explained that when he obtained these as a young boy off of hole 18, Sam Snead was who he remembered being his best work that day. That is until we told him the story of Claude Harmon and specifically the '48 champ's waning autograph supply.
What has been a long quest can come to an end with this lot for one lucky bidder. The search for the very elusive autograph of the 1948 Masters Champion, Claude Harmon. In the days when it was hard for a professional golfer to feed his family, Harmon paid the bills as one of the top teaching club pros anywhere and held two of the most prestigious Country Club Professional slots in the United States at Winged Foot outside New York City and ultra exclusive Seminole in Florida. His carrier defining moment occurred when he headed out of the South from the Winter season of 1948, Harmon (the ever precise iron player) stopped off at Augusta on his way North and won the Masters. The glory of the victory did not change him or tempt him to leave his two lucrative country club positions. The combination of two contributing factors have led to a very difficult autograph first Harmon spending little time on the regular PGA tour and secondly his early passing before Masters champion autographs became in vogue. This has led to a Masters champs signature which many veteran collectors have never even seen.
The third in this highly collectible Masters Spectator Guide series, in itself, which was first offered by the Augusta National in 1949. From Ben Hogan's first Masters win, this guide comes in good condition with the following signatures in addition to Harmon: Henry Picard, Sam Snead, Vic Ghezzi, Chuck Kocsis, Dick Champman, Charles Coe, Joe Kirkwood, Harvey Ward, Arnold Blum, Skip Alexander, Sam Urzetta, Al Besselink, and two others. The purpose of this publication was to enhance the enjoyment of patrons attending the Masters. Included in the work are historical facts and figures from the earlier events dating to 1934. Also a description of each hole, as well as unique viewer suggestions, written by Bob Jones. James Spence Authentication (JSA) has reviewed this signature and their auction letter of authenticity comes with this lot.
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